Rusedski has been in retirement for nearly two years. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA

Greg Rusedski has confirmed he plans to come out of retirement at the age of 35. The former British No1, who has not played competitively in almost two years, has applied for wild card entries into ATP events. He also wants to return to Britain's Davis Cup team and was hoping to be involved in March's fixture against Ukraine in Glasgow, but captain John Lloyd has turned down his offer.

Lloyd told the BBC: "We talked about it and I thought about it and I called him up the next day and told him this was not the right time."

Lloyd's rejection has not deterred Rusedski, the 1997 US Open runner-up, who today revealed he still hopes to return to the Davis Cup fold.

Rusedski told Eurosport: "I've always been passionate about the Davis Cup. I always feel that I can give something back, whether it's in doubles or it's in singles, and it's another option for John Lloyd if he wants it. If he doesn't and I don't have any form, well fair enough."

Rusedski, who now has a youth development role with the Lawn Tennis Association, added that Lloyd's rejection had come as a blow.

"Obviously anyone would be disappointed," he said. "To at least have a shot there, to play a few events, would have been nice. So I'm going to go into the [ATP] events and see what happens and take it from there. I've asked for some wild cards into some events, so I'm going to be like everybody else and see what happens."

The final years of Rusedski's career before retirement were plagued by injury, but the 18-time ATP title winner is adamant his body can handle the stresses of a return to the professional tour.

"The body's feeling good," he revealed. "Two years off and now being back in training for two and a half months, the body feels great."